Cars We Remember: More readers respond to Car Songs of the 1960s’ article

Tuesday

May 30, 2017 at 9:06 AMMay 30, 2017 at 9:07 AM

Greg Zyla More Content Now

I want to thank the many readers who have responded to my recent column on the “10 Best Car Songs of the 1960s.”

Turns out that almost every email or printed letter I received mentioned my omission of “Last Kiss” by J. Frank Wilson, which was later re-released by “Pearl Jam” in 1999. Readers David Kessler, Abe Goteiner and David Yeager all gave it a vote for inclusion on the 1960 Top 10 Songs article. Many other letters and emails recalled this great hit.

Kessler noted that although not strictly a car song, “Little Honda” (1964) by The Beach Boys belongs in this group: “First gear, it’s all right, second gear, lean right, third gear, hang on tight … Faster, it’s alright!

Goteiner, from Worchester, Massachusetts, also noted that it seems there were lots of sad crash songs in the 1960s, as “Dead Man’s Curve” and “Tell Laura I Love Her” on my Top 10 list both involved tragic crashes.

Yeager, meanwhile, wrote an extended hand written letter from his home in Rutland, Massachusetts, and detailed in length the car songs that he loved and included tidbits on the groups that made them hits. He feels Jan & Dean composed the funniest car song of the 1960s when they released “Schlock Rod,” parts one and two. Part one is the flip side of the “Drag City” 45 and both parts are on the “Drag City” LP, which I do own and have listened to many times. Interesting and for you trivia fans, Yeager explains that before it was Jan & Dean in the 1960s it was “Jan & Arnie” in 1958. This duo had a popular song called “Gas Money” in July of 1958.

Yeager also mentions “The Bobby Fuller Four,” and the groups LP called “KRLA-King of Wheels.” This album had many car and racing songs and was their first LP with the Mustang publishing company (although it did not chart). Personally, I could always hear a bit of Buddy Holly in Fuller’s early songs and his big hit, “I Fought the Law and the Law Won” in 1966 raised him to stardom. Sadly, he ended up a suicide victim in that same year of 1966, but some think it may have been some type of hit job.

Yeager also sent along his favorite “car situation” song favorites that include Chuck Berry’s “No Particular Place to Go,” and Lou Christie’s “Rhapsody in the Rain.” Also noted was Jimmy Cross’ “I Want My Baby Back,” which did chart in 1965 but again dealt with a car and motorcycle double fatality that took out the Shangri-La’s “Leader of the Pack.” Very corny for sure as the climax of the song finds Cross singing about the crash survivor digging up “his baby’s” grave, and getting inside of the coffin to be with her dismembered body. (Definitely NOT a top car song of the 1960s).

Additionally, Yeager specifies the song “Hot Rod Lincoln” as influential to the car song genre. Two versions in the 1950s were released and sung by Charlie Ryan. Then in 1970, “Hot Rod Lincoln” by the late, great Chuck Berry hit the charts and climbed quickly. Yeager ends his letter noting that many of Berry’s hits, including his first ever song “Maybellene” which charted all the way up to fifth spot, featured something to do with car chases or fun driving. One of Berry’s car songs include his custom made car “Air-Mobile Flight DeVille” in “Can’t Catch Me,” (1956) and “No Money Down,” (1957), the latter where Berry tries to replace his raggedy beat up ole’ Ford with a no money down brand new Cadillac. Berry follow ups include “No Particular Place to Go” and “Nadine,” both released in 1964 and to this day are car cruising favorites.

It is agreed that Chuck Berry was one of the most influential artists who numerous times utilized cars in his songs, and I thank David A. Yeager for his outstanding letter. He notes he reads this column weekly in the Worchester Telegram and Gazette.

But what about “Last Kiss” by J. Frank Wilson? Why did I not include it?

I decided “Last Kiss” was too depressing, as Goteinger notes, that I went for the outrageous “Tell Laura I Love Her” because it was so far from reality. Anyone who drives their street car into a stock car race and expects to compete that night in a non-approved vehicle is just plain crazy and the track will quickly show this person the exit. “Last Kiss,” meanwhile, is true to life. Too much so.

I’ve dug up some photos and album covers to go along with this column, so enjoy these car songs and don’t forget most all of these can be heard on YouTube right now.

So, if I had to select my Top 10 again … yes, I would include “Last Kiss” and give “Tell Laura I Love Her” the boot.

Thanks again all readers who responded.

-- Greg Zyla writes weekly for More Content Now and other GateHouse Media publications. He welcomes reader questions at greg@gregzyla.com.

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